State Testing Assemblies: Motivate Students Before the Test, or Celebrate When It's Over!

Every spring, schools across the country gear up for state testing.

Teachers have prepared their students. Kids have worked hard all year. And then comes the challenge every principal, counselor, and teacher understands: how does a school help students walk into testing feeling confident, prepared, and ready to do their best, without adding even more pressure?

That's one reason state testing assemblies have become such a popular time to bring The Pro-Kids Show to school.

For years, Tim Hannig has presented The Pro-Kids Show at elementary schools before and after state testing, sometimes as a high-energy motivational kickoff, other times as a well-earned celebration once testing wraps up. There's something pretty great about hearing hundreds of kids laughing together during a season that can otherwise feel a little stressful.

A State Testing Assembly BEFORE the Test

Many schools bring Tim in shortly before state testing to help build positive energy throughout the building. The message doesn't need to be complicated:

Get your rest. Do your best. Don't stress. And show what you know!

Students have spent months learning, and their teachers have prepared them well. Now it's time to remind kids to believe in themselves, listen carefully, take their time, and give their best effort.

The Pro-Kids Show combines amazing magic, hilarious comedy, audience participation, and a meaningful message in a program built specifically for elementary students. It's motivational, but it never feels like another lecture. Kids are laughing, participating, and having a blast, and that's exactly the point.

A great testing kickoff assembly sends students back to their classrooms smiling, energized, and feeling like they've got this.

Or Celebrate AFTER State Testing!

There's another great option: wait until testing is finished, and celebrate.

Students and teachers work incredibly hard during testing season. Scheduling a fun assembly once the final testing day wraps gives everyone something to look forward to. The Pro-Kids Show makes a fantastic:

• State testing reward assembly
• End-of-testing celebration
• Student incentive program
• Spring school assembly
• PBIS reward
• End-of-year celebration

After days of sitting quietly, concentrating, and giving their best effort, there's nothing wrong with letting kids laugh.

IAR, ILEARN, Forward, STAAR... Whatever Your State Calls It!

Every state seems to have a different name for its standardized testing program.

In Illinois, schools prepare students for the IAR, the Illinois Assessment of Readiness. In Indiana, students take ILEARN, Indiana's Learning Evaluation and Assessment Readiness Network. In Wisconsin, schools know the Forward Exam. And in Texas, it's STAAR, the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness.

Whatever your state calls it, the goal for students stays the same: be prepared, be confident, take your time, show what you know, and do your best.

The Pro-Kids Show has traveled to schools throughout Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and across the United States, and spring testing season is always a popular time of year for assemblies.

Why Use an Assembly During Testing Season?

Testing can feel big to an elementary student.

A schoolwide assembly gives everyone a chance to come together and shift the energy in the building. Instead of focusing only on scores and tests, it's a chance to remind students about effort, perseverance, attitude, and doing their personal best.

Because The Pro-Kids Show delivers its message through magic, comedy, storytelling, and audience participation, students aren't simply hearing another adult tell them what they should do. They're experiencing it. They laugh. They participate. They remember.

Don't Forget the Teachers!

There's another group that deserves a little fun during testing season: the staff.

Teachers put enormous energy into preparing students and creating the best possible testing environment. A Pro-Kids Show assembly isn't just a break for students, teachers laugh right along with them, sometimes harder than the kids do. A positive shared experience like this can be a real morale boost during one of the busiest stretches of the school year.

Turn Testing Season Into FAMILY NIGHT

Want to take it one step further? Many schools add a Pro-Kids Family Night Show to their daytime assembly.

Tim presents the school assembly during the day, then families return that evening for an entirely different show filled with magic, comedy, and audience participation. It's an easy way to turn one assembly date into a full family engagement event, and create another positive connection between families and their school.

Planning a State Testing Assembly?

Principals, school counselors, social workers, teachers, PTA and PTO leaders, and PBIS teams are all invited to bring something special to their students this testing season.

Book The Pro-Kids Show before testing to motivate students, build confidence, and get everyone excited to show what they know. Or book after testing to reward their hard work and celebrate a job well done. Either way, testing season could use a little more laughter.

Amazing Show. Amazing Message.

Bring The Pro-Kids Show to Your School

Looking for a state testing assembly, testing motivation program, testing reward assembly, or elementary school assembly in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Texas, or elsewhere in the United States? Learn more about The Pro-Kids Show, watch videos, see what schools are saying, and check availability.